P.M. Briefing : War Dogs Get High Energy Diet

TOPEKA, Kan. — Faced with intensified work schedules and the harsh Saudi Arabian environment, U.S. military dogs are being fed a special high energy diet to ensure peak performance in guard work and explosive sniffing for Operation Desert Shield.

“The U.S. military is using Hill’s Maximum Stress Diet brand food in Saudi Arabia for the caloric content and specially formulated nutrients that the dogs require during times of heavy work,” said Elizabeth Hodgkins, director of technical affairs for Hill’s Pet Products. “This food makes the dogs capable of working at a higher level than normal.”

MSD was originally used during the Vietnam War because, in addition to the anti-stress nutrient, medications in the food protected the dogs from heartworms and other parasites.